Liquid-soap storing and dispensing apparatus



Nov. 24', 1925- F. J. HARDY LIQUID SOAP STORING AND DISPENSING APPARATUSFil M r 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awvc-u fez EeJer/ck r]. a ar/y PatentedNov. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK JOHN GEOBGE HARDY, OF NORWALK, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO C. B.

DOLGE COMPANY, OF VJESTPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPR I0N OF CONNECTI- CUT.

LIQUID-SSA? STORING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 9, 1920. Serial No. 364,498.

To (all re/m it may conccm:

Be it known that I, FREDERKCK JOHN Grouse l'lAlZDY, a citizen of theUnited tit-ates, residing in the city oi Norwalk, count-y ot Fairlield,State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Inprovei'nents in Liquid-Soap Storing and Dispensing Apparatus, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccon'ipanying drawii'igs, illustrative of one particular embodiment ofmy inventiou.

This invention relates to the storing and dispensing ol soap to effectgreater economy in the use of soap, make the dispensing moreconvenientto the user, minimize the labor and cost oi supplying,preserve and protect the soap supply and for other benetits and ndrantaes as will appear from the tollowing descr ion of my invention.

ln particular, a reservoir or storage for liquid soap is provided in amanner adapted to contain an ample quantity to supply a large number ofoutlets such as may be used in factories or washrooms where a largenumber of people are accommodated. Such supply is provided with meansfor replenishing from one point in the system and at the smile timeassuring the satisfactory de livery at all of the multiple outlets andat any one thereof. as required. Such supply is also provided. in amanner minin'iizing the chance of air producing suds within thedisiensingg tom which is an objection sometimes found when air isallowed to percolate through the liquid soap. It also minimizes thechance of stoppage by the avoidance oi small pipes and connections thatwould be liable to clogging, or parts that it would be ditlicult toinspect or clean.

lVhile my invention may be embodied in various forms and modified as todetail, I have shown particular embodiments of my apparatus in theaccompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. l is an elevation of a form of the storing and plural dispensingapparatus over a wash basin.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of an outlet section through the axis ofthe apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the axis of the apparatus at an end andadjacent the outlet section.

Fig. 3 is vertical section of the outlet faucet.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the faucet taken on the line 0c-00 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 4 shows in elevation two outlet sections with a fragmentary sectionof the intermediate storage section.

The liquid soap reservoir and dispenser are shown in Fig. 1 supportedabove and with outlets over an extended Wash-basin, with the outletsections A and intermediate sections B of varying lengths, while at oneend a filler section C is provided with a cap I), and attached. adjacentto this section is a handle E which is moved to rotate the reservoir, sothat the handle is in an upright position to register with the bracket Fto which it may be locked by any suitable means as the padlock G.

The outlet section A, as shown .in Fig. 2, comprises the barrel H, theinterior of which is tapered so that the largest portion of the interiordiameter is located where the outlet faucet J is attached so that theentire content will settle to and flow out of the outlet. The adjacentends of the in termediate sections B-B, in this form, have outwardlyextending flanges b-Z) with which split rings K engage, while couplingcollars L engage the outside of the split rings K and are threaded at Mto the exterior of the body portion H at the end. A collar N is formedon the outside 01 the body portion H suitably disposed so that it formsa spacing groove with the adjacent end otthe collar L, to hold asupporting bracket 0 in place. The bracket 0, as shown is an encirclingbar with a bent end 0 suitably threaded to engage, as show in Fig. 1,with an angle bracket, the threaded end permitting the desiredadjustment in order to properly install the entire system.

In Fig. 3 is shown an outlet section A with two ridges or collars NNformed on the outside to form the locking groove tor the bracket C,which may be snapped over the collars from one side. In this form thesection A is tapped with an internal thread at each end and the fillersection C is tapped on the outside at its end so that it joins section Aforming a reservoir of lesser diameter than the in CTl terior of thesection A, with a consequent flow of the stored liquid to the outletsection. The filler D has a cap (Z, with a vent d and may be sealed by avent plug d connected. by a chain for manipulation and to prevent loss;and immediately adjacent to the interior of the inlet D a. protectingwire gauze D is secured to the interior of the inlet section to preventaccess to the interior for unauthorized removal of the liquid.

At the other end of the form shown in Fig. 3 an intermediate section Bis threaded on the outside at b to engage the interior threading on thesection ii, so as to provide an intermediate section of lesser interiordiameter than that of the faucet or outlet section, and. the interiorends of the intermediate sections are tapered or rounded, as shown at bto insure the flow and avoid any crevices for undesirable accumulationsof material. This intermediate section l3 may be a short closed sectionB" as shown in dotted lines, and thus serves for the end of the system,and all'ords a uniform unit section which may be used with one uniformoutlet section in order to form a single faucet reservoir. The outletfaucet J, shown in section, has an inner portion R, which screws into J,and has an orifice V. at its lower end. A rod T is movable inside of It,and has attached to it a stopper U which is normally held by a spring Sagainst a washer Y so as to close the orifice lV. \Vhen it is desired touse any of the liquid soap, the knob V is pressed upward against thepressure of the spring S, and the orifice w opened, so that the liquidcontents will flow out.

As shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate section B is tapered as by swagingbetween its ends so that the minimum diameter as at P, will provide aninterior of the reservoir tapering in both directions toward the end toinsure the flow of the liquid soap content into the adjacent outletsections. As shown at (.1, a bent wire loop or any other suitable ballleis slipped into the section and becomes a fixed battle in the interiorso that it will rotate when the entire reservoir is rotated and therebymix or churn the content.

It will thus be seen that my soap storing and dispensing apparatusprovides any desired number of soap outlets or faucets or dispensers,each rigidly secured in a uniform section of the system, withintermediate sections of pipe forming storage of any desired capacityfor the requirements of the system and with a suitable supply or inletmeans, the entire system being adapted to be readily supported andadjusted in a horizontal position, so that the flow of liquid will besubstantially uniform to all of the outlets so long as any liquid soapremains in the apparatus. Attaching brackets provide means for levelingby a simple adjustment of position at each section support, so that theentire system may be aligned axially and truly horizontal with facilityand in a simple manner, or may be adjusted by any one to meet changedconditions.

In particular, proy ision is made to meet the conditions of any settlingof sediment, any temporary pressure congealing or procipitation whichmay temporarily alter the homogeneous mixture of the soap. This is madepossible by the support of the system in a manner permitting thesections to be rotated on their axis by means of the handle attached toone part of the system. With this arrangement, the settling of anyheavier portions of the liquid soap or partial chemical segregation ofthe liquid can be shaken and the entire liquid content mixed to resumeits desired homogeneous character by the oscillation of the storagesystem by turning it a few times by means of the handle, which broughtback to a predetermined position again sets the system in position sothat all of the outlets or dispensers are in a desired operativeposition. The handle may also be used to reverse the systemso that theoutlets are in an inoperative position, such as 011 the top of thereservoir, in which case the vent in the inlet cap is closed by suitableplug as shown, and the handle may be locked in such position therebypreventing any chance of waste by leakage or preventing the use of theentire system at unauthorized times, or during periods when the chanceof draining off the soap is to be prevented. In such locked position theentire system becomes hermetically sealed because the individual faucetsare automatically closed, whereby the entire liquid soap content ispreserved indefinitely. After such period of unuse, the reversal of thesystem automatically stirs up the content and any sediment that may haveaccumulated is carried to a position on the top of the reservoir whereit cannot interfere with the out-flow at the faucets, nor interfere withthe flow along the lower portion of the intermediate reservoir sections.To assist or insure the thorough mixing suitable ballles, as illustratedby the bent wires inserted in the sections, provide means for engagingthe liquid when the system is oscillated and stirring it thoroughly.

By means of the inlet or supply opening and any suitable ventat otherpoints in the system, any desired ventilation may be provided and athorough periodic cleaning by forcing air through the system would insure any sanitary conditions desired.

A perfectly level tubular system of uniform interior diameter will.insure the even distribution throughout the dispensing magazine, and theslightly larger interior diameter adjacent each outlet faucet proridesfor the most complete drainingof the system from any one faucet. Theintermediate sections may, however, be slightly tapered by constrictingthem between their ends in order to ,avoid the chance of ac cumulationin the intermediate sections, by aiding the low to either end of thesections, but such construction produces a slightly greater accumulationfor each individual outlet, and thereby interferes with the draining ofthe entire system except by the opening of each individual outlet.

\Vhile in some forms, intermediate cast pipe sections are more readilyavailable, they may be threaded as shown to provide in a simple mannerthe desired conditions of my liquid soap magazine. As shown, however, Imay use much thinner and therefore lighter piping, such as steel orbrass, which for convenience are flared, or flanged outwardly at theends so that a suitable coupling may be readily passed over each end inorder to unite the ends of the intermediate sections with the outletsections with a strong, simple, watertight joint. For sin'iplicity anduniformity such couplings are arranged so that they provide theadditional purpose of locking or spacing the supporting brackets in amanner that will permit the rotation of the system within the brackets.

Vhile any length of intermediate sections may be used, it will be seenin Fig. 3 that a short closed end section may be coupled to one side ofa uniform outlet section, with an inlet section at the other end,thereby providing with uniform standard parts a single liquid soapreservoir, capable of all the conveniences and advantages for thedispensing of liquid soap. In this manner,

a supply of liquid soap is stored ready for instant use under conditionspreserving it indefinitely in quantity sutiicient for a long period,without loss in any of the usual ways now involved in the relativelyextravagant use of soap.

\Vhile dispensers or outlets are used, of any suitable type, I prefer asimple faucet allowing the flow when pressed by hand, and which willautomatically and definitely close and seal when pressure is removed.

\Vhile many variations may be made in the arrangement, construction ordesign and also of material out of which my apparatus is made, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention,what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid soap magazine comprising a sectional combined storagereservoir and supply duct, including a plurality of uniform sumpsections each having an automatic closing outlet, intermediate storagesections of lesser interior diameter than the interior diameter of thesump sections and constituting reservoirs and conductors of supply ofliquid soap to the entire system, a filler section and a removablevented cap therefor, and means of support whereby said sections are heldin horizontal position.

2. A liquid soap magazine comprising an inlet section, a closuretherefor, a combined series of supply and reservoir sections, aplurality of outiet sections having internal diameters greater than thediameter of the reservoir sections, whereby the last content of thesystem will concentrate in said outlet sections, and means to rotatesaid sections.

3. A liquid soap magazine comprising an inlet section and a closuretherefor, supply and reservoir sections rigidly connected withintermediate draining sections, outlets in said draining sections, saidplurality of outlet sections at a lower level than said reservoirsections, means for SLlPpOltlDQ the intcru'iediate and outletsections inaxial alignment and with a limited rotary movement of said outlet andintern'iediate sections about their axis, and means associated with themagazine to impart a limited rotary movementof the magazine on its meansof sup port.

4-. A liquid soap storage and dispensing apparatus, con'iprising aplurality of outlets each draining from a depression at a lower levelthan the adjacent reservoir or storage-portions of the apparatus. saidintern'iediate storage sections affording free flow to the adjacentoutlets, and means for supporting the entire apparatus rotatively as aunit on a horizontal axis.

A liquid soap storage and dispensing apparatus, comprising a pluralityof outlets each draining from a depression at a lower level than theadjacent portions of the ap 'iaratus, and intermediate storage sectionshaving interior connections affording free flow to the adjacent outlets,and means for movably supporting the sections about a comn'ion axis anda lever for in'iparting movement of the apparatus on its axis.

6. A. liquid soap storage and dispensing apparatus, con'iprisingaplurality of outlets each draining from a depression at a lower levelthan adjacent reservoir or storage portions of the apparatus, saidintern'iediatie storage sections affording free flow to the adjacentoutlets, means for supporting the entire apparatus as a unit on ahorizontal axis in an operative dispensing position and permittinglimited rotary displacement, and means for .sin'iultaneously rotatingall of the outlets of the apparatus and for securing them in aninoperative position.

7-. A. liquid soap magazine comprising an inlet section, supplyreservoir sections, and a plurality of outlet sections at a lower levelthan said reservoir sections, automatic closing :taucets on the sameside of all of said outlet sections, and means for simultaneouslydisplacing a plurality oit said outlets and for locking the system in aninoperative position.

8. A liquid soap magazine comprising an inlet section, a closuretherefor, supply and reservoir sections, a plurality of outlet sec tionsbeing of larger dian'ieter than said reservoir sections, means or?support per-- mitting limited axial rotation of said outlet andintermediate sections, and a battle supported within the reservoir androtatable with said sections.

9. A liquid storing and dispensing apparatus, con'iprising a tubularreservoir of substantially uniform internal diameter, means to supportthe same on a horizontal axis, a plurality of sumps spaced at intervalsalong the bottom or? said reservoir, an automatic closing outletdraining trom eachsump, and a common supply opening at one point in saidreservoir with a removable closure therefor.

10. A liquid storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a. horizontaltubular reservoir of substantially uniform internal diameter, aplurality of sumps spaced at intervals along said tubular reservoir, anoutlet draining from each .sump, a common supply inlet i'or saidreservoir, common means for moving the entire system about its axis,means for automatically closing the outlets, and means for sealing theinlet.

11. A liquid storing and dispensing apparatus, comprising a tubularreservoir and means to rotatively support the same on a horizontal axis,a plurality of spaced internal depressions along the normally lower sideof said reservoir, an automatic closing outlet leading from each of saiddepressions, a common supply opening with a vented closure, means forclosing said vent and means for rotatively shitting and looking saidreservoir so that all of said outlets are sinniltaneously moved intoinoperative position.

12. A liquid storing and dispensing apparatus, comprising a tubularreservoir and means to support the same rotatively on a horizontal axis,a plurality of spaced internal depressions along the normally lower sideof said reservoir, an automatically closing outlet from each of saiddepressions, a common supply opening with a vented closure, and meanswithin said reservoir to stir and churn the liquid content, said meansbeing actuated on the rotation 01": the system.

13. A liquid soap storing and dispensing apparatus, comprising ahorizontal tubular storage reservoir, a replenishing opening at onepoint in said reservoir, a closure for said opening, a plurality ofinterior depres sions along the bottom of said reservoir, and a faucetdraining from the bottom of or ch depression, a plurality of supportsfor said reservoir including means permitting limited rotation oi thereservoir in each support about a common axis.

1%. A liquid soap storing and dispensing apparatus, comprising ahorizontal. tubular storage reservoir, a replenishing opening at onepoint in said reservoir, a closure tor said opening, a plurality ofinterior depressions along the bottom of said reservoir, and a ttaucetdraining from the bottom o'l' each depression, a support for thereservoir adjacent to each ot the depressed or sump sections adapted tohold the reservoir in a position about a horizontal axis, a leverattached to said reservoir at one point adapted to rotate said reservoirin its support about its horizontal axis whereby the faucets are turnedto a non-draining position.

15. A liquid soap magazine comprising a combined storage reservoir andsupply duct including a tubular member having a capacity equal to theentire predetermined amount of liquid soap to be storm, means forsupporting said tube in horizontal. position, a plurality ofautomatically closing outlets projecting from said reservoir from pointsin longitudinal alignment on the reservoir, and an opening on the sideof said reservoir substantially opposite the outlets.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, this13th day of January, 1920.

. FREDERICK JOHN GEORGE HARDY.

